CONCORD -- For years, as the former Doctors' Hospital sat vacant across the street, students crowded into PS 48, pushing the small building on Targee Street to 120 percent capacity.

Then came the idea to turn the unused hospital into a new school that could accommodate the growing population in the area.

When school administrators, parents and community residents came to City Councilman James Oddo (R-Mid-Island/Brooklyn) with their idea, he ran with the ball, convincing the city to purchase the hospital, demolish the structure and turn it into a new space for PS 48, one that would allow for the school to expand from kindergarten through eighth-grade.

The councilman and his chief of staff, Steve Matteo, joined Principal Jacqueline Mammolito, students, teacher, staff and parents, on the broad front steps of the new school to officially cut the ribbon.

"I can't think of any other issue where my staff and myself were as emotionally invested as this one," Oddo said.

Mrs. Mammolito again thanked Oddo for his commitment to PS 48 and the neighborhood, and to education in his district.